MLB News

Short hops

• Half of the Padres' 36 pitchers in camp threw off a mound on Wednesday. The other half will do so on Thursday. One player who will be watched closely is right-hander Andrew Cashner, who had surgery in December to repair a lacerated tendon in his right thumb. Cashner is on what Black calls a "restricted program." That said, there's a good chance Cashner will be able to throw off a mound by March 1.

• There are two pitchers in camp who won't throw off a mound this week: Minor Leaguers Jason Ray and Jerry Sullivan. Both have what Black termed as 'tender arms." Both are in camp as non-roster invitees. Sullivan had a 2.32 ERA in 42 2/3 innings after the All-Star break with Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore and benefited greatly from developing a split-finger fastball. The Padres were pleased he wasn't claimed in December's Rule 5 Draft.

• Half of the Padres' 36 pitchers in camp threw off a mound on Wednesday. The other half will do so on Thursday. One player who will be watched closely is right-hander Andrew Cashner, who had surgery in December to repair a lacerated tendon in his right thumb. Cashner is on what Black calls a "restricted program." That said, there's a good chance Cashner will be able to throw off a mound by March 1.

• There are two pitchers in camp who won't throw off a mound this week: Minor Leaguers Jason Ray and Jerry Sullivan. Both have what Black termed as 'tender arms." Both are in camp as non-roster invitees. Sullivan had a 2.32 ERA in 42 2/3 innings after the All-Star break with Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore and benefited greatly from developing a split-finger fastball. The Padres were pleased he wasn't claimed in December's Rule 5 Draft.